Scottish Executive

Aggregates Tax

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what economic assessment has been made of the impact of the imposition of the aggregates tax in Shetland and any cost rise implications for local businesses and individuals.

Allan Wilson: Assessment of economic impacts of UK taxation measures is the responsibility of Her Majesty's Treasury. No separate assessment has been undertaken by the Scottish Executive of the impact in Shetland.

Air Services

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set out its current policy on the aviation sector and what plans it has to support improvements to the aviation industry and increase the provision of flights to and from all parts of Scotland.

Lewis Macdonald: A Scottish Air Transport Consultation Document will be produced in April. This is part of an on-going review of aviation/airports policy leading to the development of an aviation policy for the next 30 years. The provision of flights to and from Scotland is being addressed as part of that consultation process.

Airports

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when a decision is expected on the application by Shetland Islands Council to operate Sumburgh Airport.

Lewis Macdonald: A decision will be made after full and careful consideration of the case.

Airports

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Inverness airport terminal is (a) owned and (b) managed by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd only and, if not, by whom it is owned and managed.

Lewis Macdonald: Inverness Airport terminal building is owned and operated by Inverness Air Terminal Limited.

Apprenticeships

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much financial support it has provided for Modern Apprenticeships in each year since 1994 in respect of each (a) Local Enterprise Company and (b) framework.

Ms Wendy Alexander: Support for Modern Apprenticeships is provided from within the block grant-in-aid to Scottish Enterprise and Highlands & Islands Enterprise. Decisions on more detailed expenditure are operational matters for those bodies.

Apprenticeships

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many Modern Apprenticeship places have been available to candidates in each year since 1994 in respect of each (a) Local Enterprise Company and (b) framework and how many unfilled places there were in each case.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The information requested is not available. Modern Apprenticeships (MA) are not allocated in quotas by the enterprise network or by industrial sector. The level of MA uptake reflects the demand for training opportunities by young people and the number of jobs made available by employers.

Apprenticeships

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many Modern Apprenticeships have not been completed by those undertaking such training in respect of each (a) Local Enterprise Company and (b) framework in each year since 1994.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The information requested is not available.

  I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15345 on 23 May 2001.

Careleavers

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in establishing a method for recording the educational achievement of children leaving care.

Cathy Jamieson: Starting this year, the Scottish Executive will collect information about the educational qualifications of careleavers aged 16 to 18.

  As part of the monitoring of the delivery of national priorities for education through the School Improvement Framework, we have a standard performance measure on the percentage of young people leaving local authority care who have at least Standard Grade 1-6 in English and maths

  At an individual level, the Executive is committed to Personal Learning Plans for all school pupils by 2003. These plans will record young people’s progress and achievement across the curriculum.

Crown Estate

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what role it is playing in the current review of seabed rents charged by the Crown Estate to the aquaculture industry.

Allan Wilson: The current review is a negotiation between the Crown Estate, as landlord, and the farmed salmon industry as their tenants. It would not be appropriate for any third party to be involved.

Crown Estate

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met the Crown Estate to discuss (a) fish farming research and (b) sub-seabed cable links to the Scottish islands.

Allan Wilson: The Executive has two places on the management committee which considers proposals for funding from the Crown Estate’s aquaculture research and development budget. This committee last met on 28 January. Research and development was also discussed at a meeting with the Crown Estate on 23 January about the development of a strategic framework for aquaculture. No meetings have been held on the second matter.

Dental Care

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on dental provision in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02 and what the projected spending is for 2002-03, broken down by health/NHS board.

Malcolm Chisholm: The following table lists information on gross expenditure for general dental services by health board area for 1999-2000 and 2000-01. In addition, it lists the general dental services indicative allocation figures for 2001-02 and 2002-03 for each health board area since gross expenditure figures for 2001-02 are not yet available.

  General Dental Services (£ million):

  


Health Board 
  

1999-2000 
  

2000-01 
  

2001-02 
  

2002-03 
  



Argyll & Clyde 
  

14.205 
  

14.088 
  

15.835 
  

16.704 
  



Ayrshire & Arran 
  

11.955 
  

12.352 
  

13.736 
  

14.489 
  



Borders 
  

3.394 
  

3.408 
  

3.691 
  

3.893 
  



Dumfries & Galloway 
  

3.903 
  

3.653 
  

4.253 
  

4.486 
  



Fife 
  

10.368 
  

10.860 
  

11.637 
  

12.275 
  



Forth Valley 
  

8.819 
  

9.475 
  

9.932 
  

10.477 
  



Grampian 
  

15.402 
  

16.801 
  

17.840 
  

18.819 
  



Greater Glasgow 
  

35.737 
  

34.721 
  

38.098 
  

40.188 
  



Highland 
  

5.759 
  

6.174 
  

6.408 
  

6.759 
  



Lanarkshire 
  

17.909 
  

18.462 
  

18.833 
  

19.866 
  



Lothian 
  

26.607 
  

27.803 
  

29.740 
  

31.372 
  



Orkney 
  

0.457 
  

0.497 
  

0.562 
  

0.596 
  



Shetland 
  

0.555 
  

0.536 
  

0.468 
  

0.497 
  



Tayside 
  

13.667 
  

14.283 
  

15.572 
  

16.426 
  



Western Isles 
  

0.821 
  

0.872 
  

0.786 
  

0.829 
  



Scotland 
  

169.558 
  

173.985 
  

187.391 
  

197.676

Dentistry

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current and projected output of dental graduates will achieve the annual target output of 120 per annum for the next five years as recommended in Section 6.1 in the report by the Scottish Advisory Committee on the Dental Workforce, Workforce Planning for Dentistry in Scotland: A Strategic Review: Interim Report and Recommendations .

Mrs Mary Mulligan: Following the report by the Scottish Advisory Committee for the Dental Workforce (SACDW) in October 2000, the Dental Schools and the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council increased the student funded places to achieve an output of 120 graduates per year. The dental course takes five years and it is therefore anticipated that allowing for the increase to flow through to graduate numbers this target will be achieved in 2004-05.

Dentistry

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the 10 additional vocational training posts and five two-year general professional training posts are now in place as recommended in Section 6.1 in the report by the Scottish Advisory Committee on the Dental Workforce, Workforce Planning for Dentistry in Scotland: A Strategic Review: Interim Report and Recommendations .

Mrs Mary Mulligan: Ten additional vocational training places have been funded and five additional professional training posts are available.

Dentistry

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the basic education and training for dental hygienists and therapists is now in place as recommended in Section 6.2 in the report by the Scottish Advisory Committee on the Dental Workforce, Workforce Planning for Dentistry in Scotland: A Strategic Review: Interim Report and Recommendations .

Mrs Mary Mulligan: The Executive have, through the Dental Workforce Report, taken the lead in planning and funding the education and training of dental hygienists and therapists, and this has now been established on a Scottish basis. Resources and organisation are now being transferred to the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education. New training places for hygienists have been funded and initiated in Edinburgh and Dundee. I also refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21870.

Dentistry

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for at least one hygiene school to extend its courses to produce dually qualified dental hygienists/therapists to commence in 2002-03 as recommended in Section 6.2 in the report by the Scottish Advisory Committee on the Dental Workforce, Workforce Planning for Dentistry in Scotland: A Strategic Review: Interim Report and Recommendations .

Mrs Mary Mulligan: A cost appraisal exercise for enhancing the hygienist course to produce dually qualified hygienists and therapists is being completed at present at Glasgow Dental School. If this does not highlight significant barriers to the plan then we would hope to be able to confirm commencement of such a course in 2002 or 2003 as indicated in the strategy.

Dentistry

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the additional 50 student places for dental hygienists and therapists are now in place as recommended in Section 6.2 in the report by the Scottish Advisory Committee on the Dental Workforce, Workforce Planning for Dentistry in Scotland: A Strategic Review: Interim Report and Recommendations .

Mrs Mary Mulligan: Funding has been made available to increase the total funded student places by 40 with the addition of two new courses, one at Edinburgh and one at Dundee. Additional funding is planned for 2002-03 dependant on decisions on a joint hygienist/therapist course, which, once established, would fulfil the target for an additional 50 funded places. I also refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21870.

Dentistry

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals are in place to achieve the target of 200 dental nurses and 15 dental technicians to complete basic training as recommended in Section 6.3 in the report by the Scottish Advisory Committee on the Dental Workforce, Workforce Planning for Dentistry in Scotland: A Strategic Review: Interim Report and Recommendations .

Mrs Mary Mulligan: In the last 12 months, 213 dental nurses qualified in Scotland. Training of dental nurses is in transition and during 2002-04 all training will be transferred to a new Scottish Vocational Qualification system linked to colleges of further education or training organisations. It is planned that the present output will be maintained during this transition.

  We are currently working with the relevant organisations to establish an appropriate structure to deliver on the target for basic training for dental technicians.

Dentistry

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for retention schemes rewarding on-going commitment to the NHS and for those returning to work after a career break as recommended in Section 6.4 in the report by the Scottish Advisory Committee on the Dental Workforce , Workforce Planning for Dentistry in Scotland: A Strategic Review: Interim Report and Recommendations .

Mrs Mary Mulligan: A commitment payments scheme was introduced from 1 April 2000 to reward general dental practitioners for on-going commitment to NHS dentistry. This is under regular review jointly with the profession. Schemes for retaining dentists in Scotland in rural and remote areas and for return to work are presently being considered as part of the ongoing review of the dental workforce.

Dentistry

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the review of undergraduate financing and the linkage to quality assurance programmes as recommended in Section 7 in the report by the Scottish Advisory Committee on the Dental Workforce, Workforce Planning for Dentistry in Scotland: A Strategic Review: Interim Report and Recommendations .

Mrs Mary Mulligan: The review of undergraduate funding identified an imbalance in the NHS support for Dundee compared to other UK schools. This has been progressively adjusted to benefit Dundee over the last four years. Review of the numbers of students required to achieve the target output of 120 in conjunction with the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) resulted in financial gain for the Universities training dental students.

Dentistry

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether structures and funding at NHS trusts are now identified for the education and training of dental nurses, dental technicians, dental receptionists and practice managers as recommended in Section 7 in the report by the Scottish Advisory Committee on the Dental Workforce, Workforce Planning for Dentistry in Scotland: A Strategic Review: Interim Report and Recommendations .

Mrs Mary Mulligan: Funding is now in place through the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education for the education of all the professionals complementary to dentistry. Initial work is concentrating on the largest of these professions, dental nurses. Structures are being developed which link dentists, NHS trusts and boards, Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education, colleges of further education and training organisations.

Dentistry

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what specific measures it is discussing with the dental profession to improve the recruitment and retention of dental practitioners in rural, remote and island areas and when it expects to implement any such measures.

Mrs Mary Mulligan: We are discussing with the dental profession, increased continuing professional development allowances and a remote allowance for dentists in such areas. We are also at present considering other measures to improve recruitment and retention of dental practitioners. The first priority will be to retain dental practitioners in Scotland and especially to attract practitioners to practices outwith the central belt. More specific measures are being considered for remote areas.

Education

Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive with regard to its news release SE5127/2002 of 7 January 2002 and in light of the launch of the "know the net" campaign, the review of "click thinking" and concerns over internet safety, whether it retains a target of providing every school pupil in Scotland with internet access and a personal e-mail address and when it expects this target to be met.

Nicol Stephen: Young people are accessing the internet and e-mail in a variety of settings. The Executive is committed to helping them develop the skills to allow them to do this effectively and safely, and schools have an important role to play. We expect that all pupils will have access to the internet and to e-mail by the end of 2002. In March 2001 the Executive wrote to all Directors of Education noting that e-mail access for younger pupils could be provided through class mailboxes.

Education

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all pilot future school projects currently in operation.

Nicol Stephen: The Executive’s Future Learning & Teaching Programme has already provided financial support for two pilot projects: Dundee City Council's Personal ICT project, and the SCHOLAR programme run by Heriot-Watt university. We are in discussion with a number of other education authorities about potential projects, and will publish the details of the agreed first phase of projects and evaluation plans later this year.

Education

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in developing plans for the evaluation of future school projects and on what date the strategy documents regarding these are due for publication.

Nicol Stephen: We have issued an invitation to tender for evaluation teams to evaluate the pilot projects supported by the first phase of the Future Learning & Teaching Programme. Full evaluation plans will be published later this year.

Energy

Fiona McLeod (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20150 by Iain Gray on 17 December 2001, how Energy Action Scotland’s targets are assessed and what specific targets have been set.

Fiona McLeod (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20150 by Iain Gray on 17 December 2001, what costs the funding received by Energy Action Scotland (EAS) from the Executive is intended to cover and whether EAS makes financial awards for energy efficiency or energy poverty projects.

Fiona McLeod (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20150 by Iain Gray on 17 December 2001, how many local authorities are members of Energy Action Scotland (EAS) and whether COSLA has any involvement in EAS.

Iain Gray: Energy Action Scotland is an independent registered charity. It is sponsored by the Scottish Executive to enable it to carry out activities which reflect ministers' aims to tackle fuel poverty and its effects. Sponsorship is not awarded for particular activities but is dependent on the organisation meeting a number of targets. For the current financial year the targets are (a) to secure £95,000 of private sector resources, at least £65,000 of which must be awarded for projects to improve home energy efficiency and tackle fuel poverty and (b) to enrol 26 Scottish local authorities as members. The targets are such that success in achieving them is easily assessed. Questions about any involvement by COSLA in the work of Energy Action Scotland must be addressed to those organisations.

Environment

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on Environmentally Sensitive Area schemes in each of the past six years for which figures are available; how many producers were eligible to participate in each scheme, and how many did so, broken down by area.

Ross Finnie: The information is as follows:

  

 

Expenditure 
  



ESA Scheme 
  

1995-96 
  

1996-97 
  

1997-98 
  

1998-99 
  

1999-2000 
  

2000-01 
  



Breadalbane (Original) 
  

£42,733 
  

£5,858 
  

- 
  

- 
  

- 
  

- 
  



Breadalbane (Revised) 
  

£354,064 
  

£551,798 
  

£607,426 
  

£546,495 
  

£656,148 
  

£581,891 
  



Loch Lomond (Original) 
  

£5,449 
  

£3,230 
  

£2,310 
  

£1,500 
  

- 
  

- 
  



Loch Lomond (Revised) 
  

£120,388 
  

£168,076 
  

£159,650 
  

£140,715 
  

£153,535 
  

£192,265 
  



Stewartry (Original) 
  

£111,353 
  

£45,940 
  

£25,801 
  

£7,936 
  

- 
  

- 
  



Stewartry (Revised) 
  

£370,937 
  

£567,132 
  

£899,810 
  

£1,262,815 
  

£815,139 
  

£1,077,016 
  



Whitlaw/Eildon 
  

£19,548 
  

£2,514 
  

£2,430 
  

£1,125 
  

- 
  

- 
  



Central Borders1


£113,587 
  

£238,645 
  

£446,446 
  

£508,661 
  

£601,775 
  

£974,440 
  



Machair of the Uists etc (Original) 
  

£75,348 
  

£49,247 
  

£21,417 
  

£517 
  

- 
  

- 
  



Machair of the Uists etc (Revised) 
  

£26,633 
  

£133,775 
  

£305,091 
  

£374,448 
  

£400,261 
  

£628,153 
  



Central Southern Uplands 
  

£541,437 
  

£641,007 
  

£1,131,845 
  

£1,306,420 
  

£1,045,108 
  

£1,804,029 
  



Western Southern Uplands 
  

£262,627 
  

£376,433 
  

£588,951 
  

£657,340 
  

£692,083 
  

£940,870 
  



Cairngorms Straths 
  

£141,443 
  

£260,987 
  

£612,384 
  

£808,543 
  

£786,429 
  

£977,403 
  



Argyll Islands 
  

£261,562 
  

£487,927 
  

£995,371 
  

£1,096,973 
  

£1,292,682 
  

£1,225,348 
  



Shetland Islands 
  

£77,535 
  

£234,573 
  

£508,011 
  

£781,552 
  

£1,108,010 
  

£2,041,886 
  



Totals 
  

£2,524,644 
  

£3,767,142 
  

£6,306,943 
  

£7,495,040 
  

£7,551,170 
  

£10,443,301 
  



  Note:

  1. Formerly Whitlaw/Eildon.

  

 

ESA Scheme agreements in force at 31 March 
  of each year. 
  



ESA Scheme 
  

Estimated No of Eligible Participants 
  

1996 
  

1997 
  

1998 
  

1999 
  

2000 
  

2001 
  



Breadalbane (Original) 
  

- 
  

8 
  

1 
  

- 
  

- 
  

- 
  

- 
  



Breadalbane (Revised) 
  

194 
  

91 
  

112 
  

122 
  

137 
  

166 
  

166 
  



Loch Lomond (Original) 
  

- 
  

16 
  

4 
  

- 
  

- 
  

- 
  

- 
  



Loch Lomond (Revised) 
  

72 
  

31 
  

38 
  

39 
  

44 
  

51 
  

51 
  



Stewartry (Original) 
  

- 
  

34 
  

17 
  

2 
  

- 
  

- 
  

- 
  



Stewartry (Revised) 
  

380 
  

115 
  

140 
  

179 
  

186 
  

203 
  

202 
  



Whitlaw/Eildon 
  

- 
  

4 
  

2 
  

2 
  

- 
  

- 
  

- 
  



Central Borders1


170 
  

41 
  

62 
  

82 
  

112 
  

143 
  

143 
  



Machair of the Uists etc (Original) 
  

- 
  

143 
  

105 
  

57 
  

- 
  

- 
  

- 
  



Machair of the Uists etc (Revised) 
  

480 
  

103 
  

186 
  

224 
  

306 
  

407 
  

407 
  



Central Southern Uplands 
  

385 
  

157 
  

177 
  

206 
  

239 
  

297 
  

295 
  



Western Southern Uplands 
  

400 
  

80 
  

90 
  

126 
  

140 
  

183 
  

183 
  



Cairngorms Straths 
  

188 
  

54 
  

71 
  

104 
  

122 
  

158 
  

158 
  



Argyll Islands 
  

450 
  

134 
  

169 
  

266 
  

331 
  

367 
  

367 
  



Shetland Islands 
  

1,350 
  

83 
  

154 
  

283 
  

437 
  

728 
  

724 
  



Totals 
  

4,069 
  

1,094 
  

1,328 
  

1,692 
  

2,054 
  

2,703 
  

2,696 
  



  Note:

  1. Formerly Whitlaw/Eildon.

Environment

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what controls on agricultural producers to prevent damage from diffuse pollution are being planned as a result of the requirement to implement the EU Water Framework Directive and what timescale is envisaged for the implementation of any such controls.

Ross Finnie: In Rivers, Lochs, Coasts: The Future for Scotland’s Waters (Parliament’s Reference Centre Bib. number 14576) , our consultation paper on the proposed Water Environment and Water Services Bill, which will give effect to the Directive in Scots Law, we said that we believed that the key to tackling diffuse pollution was to ensure the implementation of good practice across the board. We envisaged that this might be done by means of statutory codes of good practice, backed up by powers for a regulator to enforce specific pollution control measures where necessary. We also said that non-regulatory approaches such as voluntary and educational initiatives would have an important role to play.

  The issue of timing will be discussed in our second consultation paper on our legislative intentions for the bill. We will publish that paper shortly.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how technical fisheries conservation measures reflect the difference between over 500hp twin- or single-rigged demersal fishing vessels and single low powered seine net fishing vessels.

Ross Finnie: The only difference in the EU technical conservation measures applying to these boats is the requirement for a smaller square mesh panel in trawls and seines used by boats under 150hp.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what economic assessment has been made, or is being made, of the effect on shore-based businesses in coastal communities of the reduction in catching capacity caused by the 2001 fishing vessel decommissioning scheme.

Ross Finnie: Decommissioning will not of course reduce the level of fishing opportunities available and, indeed, should help contribute to healthier stocks and a more viable, sustainable industry for the future. We recognise, however, that fleet size reductions may have some impact on supporting industries. The effect on individual communities and businesses will depend on the circumstances involved and, indeed, decisions by individual vessel owners on whether to proceed with decommissioning following a decommissioning grant offer.

  In the event that there are impacts arising from fleet restructuring, bodies such as the enterprise networks are in place to assist, including in relation to any employment consequences or, for example, measures to reduce dependency on fishing.

  More generally, work is under way - including through the Scottish Fish Industry Project led by Scottish Enterprise, the Processors Action Working Group and the Fisheries Departments and SeaFish - on economic issues related to the fishing industry. The aim of this work is to improve understanding of the economics of the industry and how to ensure its longer term sustainability.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact on inshore, single seine net fishing vessels resulting from the introduction of nets with 120mm mesh.

Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive has funded research looking at the impact of various mesh sizes on the catch of a single seine net fishing vessel. The work was conducted by the North Atlantic Fisheries College in Shetland as part of the £1 million science/industry partnership that the Scottish Executive announced in March 2001. The trial looked at catches from a variety of mesh types, including 120mm cod ends.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions are taking place with the European Commission regarding the introduction of a days at sea scheme targeted at whitefish species and, in particular, cod.

Ross Finnie: Commission proposals for a Council Regulation establishing measures for the recovery of cod and hake stocks, published on 11 December, include provisions for effort limitation measures.

  Discussion of the proposals within the EC is just getting under way. The Scottish Executive will be involved, as part of UK delegations, throughout discussions as appropriate.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the scientific research on which the 25% cut in monkfish quotas for both the North Sea and the west coast was based, as agreed at the EU Fisheries Council meeting in December 2001, when the research was carried out and by whom.

Ross Finnie: The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), which provides the scientific basis underpinning the setting of Total Allowable Catches, published the findings of the most recent international assessment of monkfish stocks in October 2001. The ICES advice, noting the parlous state of monkfish stocks and that the present fishery is not sustainable, advocated a 50% cut in catches for 2002. The UK successfully argued that cuts should be introduced more gradually to take account of the impact on fishing communities and provide fishermen with some time to adapt their fishing patterns. At the Fisheries Council last month, the council agreed to a smaller cut of 25% for 2002.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the EU/Norway blue whiting negotiations; what measures are currently in place for the period until an agreement is reached, and when the representative parties will next meet.

Ross Finnie: Negotiations on the management of the blue whiting stock involve the European Community, Norway, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and Russia. The most recent meeting was held last month immediately prior to the December Fisheries Council. Discussions failed to resolve the level of the Total Allowable Catch to be fished in 2002, or the allocation of the stock between Coastal States. Frans Fischler, the European Commissioner with responsibility for fisheries, intends to meet from Coastal States in February to press for a multilateral agreement to regulate the stock.

  In the absence of an international consensus, the European Council of Ministers agreed to reduce quotas in European waters by 280,000 tonnes in line with scientific advice. Blue whiting transfers to Norway were also reduced substantially and were discontinued with the Faroe Islands. These arrangements will be reviewed in the light of any future international management agreement.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it undertook any review before 23 February 2001 of the state veterinary service; if so, who carried out the review, what recommendations the review contained, what action was taken by ministers in the light of the review and whether it (a) contained any assessment of or any other reference to the ability of the service to respond to a major crisis in animal health and (b) specifically mentioned a possible outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive did not undertake a specific review of the State Veterinary Service (SVS) before 23 February 2001. However, it did examine and clarify the relationship between the SVS and the Scottish Executive in 1999. This led to the production of the Concordat between MAFF and the Scottish Executive in respect of the SVS. The Concordat set out an agreed framework for co-operation between the two organisations and detailed the key principles and practices underlying this co-operation.

  The Concordat does not deal specifically with an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease but does cover the procedures to be adopted during an animal health emergency.

Further and Higher Education

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what analysis it has made or is making, and what research it has commissioned or plans to commission, to assess the impact of student poverty on academic performance and whether it will detail the results of any such analysis and research.

Ms Wendy Alexander: A wide range of factors, including financial ones, will affect an individual’s academic performance. We do not have any current plans to commission, research on the impact of student poverty on academic performance. As the member will be aware there are a new set of financial support arrangements being introduced.

Further and Higher Education

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has commissioned, or plans to commission, into the effects on students’ academic performance of also being in employment and whether it will detail the results of any such analysis and research.

Ms Wendy Alexander: A wide range of factors, including financial ones, will affect an individual’s academic performance. We do not have any current plans to commission, research into the effects of being in employment on students' academic performance. As the member will be aware there are a new set of financial support arrangements being introduced.

General Practitioners

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what specific measures will be undertaken to improve the recruitment and retention of general practitioners in rural, remote and island areas.

Mrs Mary Mulligan: A review of medical workforce planning is currently under way. This review is looking at the many issues surrounding the supply of trained doctors for Scotland, and is specifically looking at provision of services in rural and remote areas. The advisory group for the review is expected to produce an interim report for the Minister for Health and Community Care by the end of February.

  The Executive also supports the use of salaried general medical practitioners as a way of improving access to healthcare in rural areas.

Health

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan,  Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change , how it plans to ensure that the NHS and local authorities identify improved processes and share good practice across Scotland to reduce unacceptable delays in discharging patients from hospital to more appropriate care and what action it has taken to achieve this to date.

Malcolm Chisholm: An expert group, led by NHS Chief Executive Trevor Jones, has been looking in detail at delayed discharge and the reasons for it. Next month I will announce an Action Plan based on the work of this group, and including the sharing of good practice, to help drive down the delayed discharge figures.

Health

Colin Campbell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19994 by Malcolm Chisholm on 11 December 2001, who briefed the UK delegation to the EU Health Council meeting in Brussels on 15 November 2001 on any matters of particular interest to Scotland and what any such matters were.

Malcolm Chisholm: Briefing for these events is co-ordinated by the Department of Health in London with input as appropriate from devolved administrations. The details of discussions are confidential.

Health

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure effective treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Malcolm Chisholm: Strategies for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are primarily a matter for NHS Boards. The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), which is funded by the Scottish Executive Health Department, produced a clinical guideline on the Management of Early Rheumatoid Arthritis in December 2000, which will have informed clinicians of the best practice for diagnosis and management of the condition.

Her Majesty the Queen's Golden Jubilee

Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-11479 and S1W-16461 by Henry McLeish on 6 December 2000 and 22 June 2001, what further information it can give regarding plans for celebrating the 50th anniversary of Her Majesty The Queen’s Accession to the Throne.

Mr Jack McConnell: I welcome this opportunity on behalf of Scots everywhere to offer the warmest congratulations to The Queen on the 50th anniversary of her Accession, and to express gratitude for half a century of devoted service.

  My predecessor announced on 23 November 2000 (question S1W-11479) that Her Majesty will undertake engagements in Scotland in May 2002, and in particular attend the opening of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh on 25 May 2002. He also explained that Tuesday 4 June this year would be a Bank Holiday in place of the Spring Bank Holiday, which would otherwise fall on 27 May, and that Monday 3 June would be an additional Bank Holiday for the Golden Jubilee.

  On 22 June 2001 (question S1W-16461) my predecessor announced the main features of The Queen’s United Kingdom programme of Golden Jubilee visits, Her outline programme of visits from May to August 2001 and the lottery funding available to help local communities mark and celebrate the Jubilee.

  I am pleased to announce the programme of visits and other events throughout the United Kingdom from May to August this year, which will be undertaken by Her Majesty and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, to mark the Golden Jubilee.

  Details of The Queen’s visit to Scotland from 23 to 29 May are as follows:

  


23-May 
  

The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, will attend 
  a Scottish Service of Thanksgiving at Glasgow Cathedral 
  



24-May 
  

Falkirk; Edinburgh (including a Reception in the Palace 
  of Holyroodhouse) 
  



25-May 
  

The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, will open 
  the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Edinburgh; 
  The Queen will also give a Garden Party at the Palace of 
  Holyroodhouse 
  



26-May 
  

The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, will attend 
  the General Assembly Service, St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh 
  



27-May 
  

Isle of Skye; Isle of Lewis; Wick 
  



28-May 
  

Aberdeen (including a visit to the Scottish Parliament, 
  sitting at King’s College Conference Centre, Aberdeen 
  University); Dundee 
  



29-May 
  

Lauder; Melrose 
  



  The full UK programme, which includes further Scottish events on 5 and 7 August, is as follows:

  


29-Apr 
  

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will attend a Dinner 
  at No. 10 Downing Street. 
  



30-Apr 
  

Subject to approval by each House, The Queen, accompanied 
  by the Duke of Edinburgh, will attend a session of the Joint 
  Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall at which Her Majesty 
  will address both Houses 
  



  South West of England (Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Bath)

  


01-May 
  

Falmouth; Trelissick; Truro; Exeter 
  



02-May 
  

Taunton; Wells; Bath 
  



  North East of England (Tyne and Wear and County Durham)

  


07-May 
  

Sunderland; Gateshead; Newcastle 
  



08-May 
  

Durham; Darlington; Stockton (The Duke of Edinburgh) 
  



09-May 
  

East London 
  



  South East of England (Buckinghamshire and Berkshire)

  


10-May 
  

Aylesbury; Marlow; Bisham Abbey 
  



16-17 May 
  

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will attend the Royal 
  Windsor Horse Show 
  



18-May 
  

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will take the Salute 
  at "All The Queen’s Horses", Royal Windsor 
  Horse Show 
  



20-May 
  

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will attend the Chelsea 
  Flower Show 
  



21-May 
  

The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, will open 
  the new Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace 
  



22-May 
  

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will attend an Arts 
  Reception at the Royal Academy of Arts, London 
  



  Scotland

  23 to 29 May (see above)

  Jubilee Weekend

  


01-Jun 
  

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will hold The Queen’s 
  Concert (Classical Concert) in the Gardens at Buckingham 
  Palace 
  



02-Jun 
  

The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, will attend 
  a Jubilee Church Service, St. George’s Chapel, Windsor 
  Castle 
  



03-Jun 
  

Windsor and Slough 
  



03-Jun 
  

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will hold The Queen’s 
  Concert (Pop Concert) in the Gardens at Buckingham Palace, 
  after which Her Majesty will light a National Beacon in 
  the Mall and view a fireworks display 
  



04-Jun 
  

The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, will attend 
  a National Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral, 
  after a Ceremonial Procession from Buckingham Palace 
  



04-Jun 
  

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will attend a lunch 
  hosted by the Lord Mayor and the Corporation of London at 
  Guildhall in the City of London 
  



04-Jun 
  

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will attend the Golden 
  Jubilee Festival in the Mall 
  



04-Jun 
  

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will make a Balcony 
  Appearance at Buckingham Palace and watch an RAF Fly Past 
  



06-Jun 
  

North London, followed by a Garden Party at Lambeth Palace 
  



  South East of England (West Sussex)

  


07-Jun 
  

South of England Show, Ardingly 
  



10-Jun 
  

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, will give a Reception 
  for Representatives of Different Faiths at Buckingham Palace 
  



  Wales

  


11-Jun 
  

Anglesey; Colwyn Bay 
  



The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, will attend 
  a Welsh Service of Thanksgiving at Bangor Cathedral 
  



12-Jun 
  

Dolau; Llanelli; Margam Park 
  



13-Jun 
  

Bridgend; Rhondda Valley; Newport; Cardiff (including a 
  visit to the National Assembly for Wales) 
  



15-Jun 
  

The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, will take 
  the Salute at Her Majesty’s Birthday Parade, Horseguards 
  



17-Jun 
  

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will attend the Service 
  of the Order of the Garter at St. George’s Chapel, 
  Windsor 
  



17-Jun 
  

The Queen will give a Dinner for European Sovereigns, Windsor 
  Castle 
  



18-22 June 
  

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will attend Royal Ascot 
  



25-Jun 
  

West London 
  



26-Jun 
  

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will give a Dinner 
  for Representatives of the Armed Forces, Windsor Castle 
  



27-Jun 
  

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will visit the Armed 
  Forces, Portsmouth, and visit Portsmouth 
  



  West Midlands (West Midlands, Staffordshire and Warwickshire)

  


02-Jul 
  

Solihull; Birmingham 
  



03-Jul 
  

Burton upon Trent; Stoneleigh 
  



04-Jul 
  

South London 
  



05-Jul 
  

The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, will attend 
  a Parade in the Gardens of Buckingham Palace for all Her 
  Majesty’s Body Guards and the In-Pensioners of the 
  Royal Hospital Chelsea 
  



09-Jul 
  

The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, will present 
  Medals to the winners of The Queen’s Golden Jubilee 
  Poetry Competition for Schools at Buckingham Palace 
  



09-Jul 
  

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will give a Garden 
  Party in the Gardens of Buckingham Palace, when guests will 
  include those born on Accession Day 
  



  Yorkshire & The Humber (West Yorkshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire)

  


11-Jul 
  

Leeds; Wakefield (The Duke of Edinburgh); Bradford (The 
  Duke of Edinburgh); Harewood House (Festival) 
  



12-Jul 
  

Beverley 
  



16-Jul 
  

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will give a Garden 
  Party in the Gardens of Buckingham Palace, when guests will 
  include young people born since the 1977 Silver Jubilee 
  



  East of England (Suffolk and Norfolk)

  


17-Jul 
  

Ipswich; Stowmarket; Bury St. Edmund’s 
  



18-Jul 
  

Great Yarmouth (The Duke of Edinburgh); Norwich 
  



18-Jul 
  

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will give a Garden 
  Party for Norfolk at Sandringham House 
  



23-Jul 
  

The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, will open 
  the new Greater London Authority building 
  



23-Jul 
  

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will attend a Gala 
  at Covent Garden 
  



  North West of England (Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and opening the

  Commonwealth Games in Manchester)

  


24-Jul 
  

Macclesfield; Greater Manchester 
  



25-Jul 
  

Liverpool; open Commonwealth Games, Greater Manchester 
  



26-Jul 
  

Visit Commonwealth Games venues, Greater Manchester 
  



30-Jul 
  

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will give a Garden 
  Party in the Gardens of Buckingham Palace, when guests will 
  include representatives of charities of which Her Majesty 
  and His Royal Highness are Patron 
  



  East Midlands (Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire)

  


31-Jul 
  

Scunthorpe; Nottingham 
  



01-Aug 
  

Leicester; Derby 
  



04-Aug 
  

Close Commonwealth Games in Manchester 
  



  North West of England (Lancashire and Cumbria)

  


05-Aug 
  

Preston; Carlisle 
  



05-Aug 
  

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will attend the Edinburgh 
  Military Tattoo, Edinburgh Castle 
  



07-Aug 
  

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will give a Garden 
  Party at Balmoral Castle 
  



  These details, together with further information about other confirmed Golden Jubilee Celebrations and events can be found on the searchable calendar of events being launched today on the official Golden Jubilee website at: http://www.goldenjubilee.gov.uk/.

  The British Monarchy website at: http://www.royal.gov.uk/ also has details of The Queen’s programme and other royal engagements. These will be updated throughout the year as confirmation of events is received.

Land Reform

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the introduction of Land Management Contracts as proposed in A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture .

Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive’s policy is outlined in A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture ; the aim is to introduce Land Management Contracts in two to three years’ time. As part of that policy, a steering group to assist in the development of Land Management Contracts will be announced in due course.

  Officials have also been in contact with the European Commission and with the French Ministry of Agriculture. A further fact-finding visit to France will take place over the next few months.

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to reform the Occupiers’ Liability (Scotland) Act 1960 in light of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill with reference to the liability on farmers and landowners for personal injury to those exercising their statutory rights.

Ross Finnie: We see no need to amend the Occupiers' Liability (Scotland) Act 1960 which essentially enshrined in legislation the relevant common law principles relating to liability. Under the 1960 Act, the occupier of land has a duty to take such care, as in all the circumstances of the case is reasonable, to see that any person entering on the land will not suffer injury or damage by reason of any dangers due to the state of the premises or to anything done or omitted to be done on them.

  Part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill provides for a right of responsible access to land for recreation and passage. Section 5(2) of the bill effectively provides that Part 1 of the bill, or its operation, will not affect the duty of care owed by an occupier to any person present on the land. This means, for example, that the fact that someone was exercising access rights when injured has no bearing on the extent of any duty of care owed by the occupier of land to that person in terms of the 1960 Act.

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals there are to ensure that personal liability is a matter for those who exercise a right to responsible access under the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.

Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answers given to questions S1W-21848 and S1W-21851.

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what implications arise as to the availability of grants and loans under the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant and Loan schemes for crofters who pursue a community right to buy under the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.

Ross Finnie: None, as the change in ownership of the land relates only to the landowner’s interest. The individual crofters will continue to be croft tenants and thus their eligibility for crofting grants will be unaffected.

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill will ensure that those who seek to exercise a right of access do so at their own risk.

Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21848, which explained that we see no need to amend the Occupier's Liability (Scotland) Act 1960, given the terms of section 5(2) of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill. Section 2(3) of the 1960 Act also provides that nothing in that act imposes on occupiers any obligations to persons entering their land in respect of risks which such persons have willingly accepted, as determined by reference to the same principles as in other cases in which one person owes to another a duty of care. This ensures the application of the relevant common law rules concerning assumption of risk. However, since the issue of assumption of risk is so tied up with the question of the extent of the occupier's duty of care and since section 5(2) makes it clear that nothing in Part 1 of the bill will affect that duty, we do not consider that any further provision is necessary concerning this issue in the bill.

Lifelong Learning

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which National Training Organisations are (a) based solely in Scotland and (b) have representative offices in Scotland, broken down by Local Enterprise Company area.

Ms Wendy Alexander: As UK-wide bodies, no National Training Organisation is based solely in Scotland. Seventy-one National Training Organisations (NTOs) are currently recognised. Two have their Headquarters based in Scotland – the British Plumbing Employers Council (Edinburgh) and the Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation (Aberdeen). 43 other NTOs have representatives based in Scotland. The breakdown by Local Enterprise Company (LEC) area is as follows:

  


LEC Area 
  

Number of NTOs with a Presence 
  



SE Ayrshire 
  

1 
  



SE Borders 
  

1 
  



SE Dumfries and Galloway 
  

2 
  



SE Edinburgh and Lothian 
  

25 
  



SE Fife 
  

4 
  



SE Forth Valley 
  

1 
  



SE Glasgow 
  

8 
  



SE Grampian 
  

5 
  



SE Lanarkshire 
  

2 
  



SE Renfrewshire 
  

2 
  



SE Tayside 
  

4 
  



Argyll and Islands Enterprise 
  

1 
  



Inverness and Nairn Enterprise 
  

3 
  



  Some NTOs have representatives based in more than one LEC area.

Lifelong Learning

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many National Training Organisation employees are based in Scotland (a) in total and (b) broken down by (i) organisation (ii) Local Enterprise Company area and (iii) location.

Ms Wendy Alexander: National Training Organisations (NTOs) operate on a UK-wide basis and two have their Headquarters in Scotland. The Scottish Executive does not hold details of the numbers of NTO employees based in Scotland.

Mental Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when the consultation paper by its Principal Medical Officer on mental health services for deaf and deafblind people will be published.

Hugh Henry: The Scottish Executive is currently undertaking a wide-ranging review of all audiology services in consultation with the Public Health Institute of Scotland, The Royal National Institute for the Deaf and service users. The report will be available later this year. There has been no public commitment made by the Scottish Executive to consult on mental health services for deaf and deafblind people.

Ports

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will promote Rosyth as a ferry port for Edinburgh following the announcement of the continental ferry.

Lewis Macdonald: The promotion of Rosyth as a ferry port is a matter for the port authority and the ferry operator of the new service to Europe. VisitScotland is also working in partnership with transport providers, including this new service, to promote tourism opportunities within Scotland.

Ports

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of its officials are responsible for ports policy and what its current policy is with respect to both trust and non-trust ports.

Lewis Macdonald: Scottish ministers are responsible for devolved ports policy in Scotland. Policy advice is provided mainly by the Scottish Executive Development Department (SEDD) Ports and Harbours Branch. This falls largely to three staff in that branch amongst their other duties. The development of policy requires close liaison within SEDD Transport Group on related issues, including grant assistance to piers and harbours serving lifeline ferry routes in the Highlands and Islands, and with the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department interest in fishery harbours.

  Ports policy is set out in Modern Ports: A UK Policy (November 2000, Parliament’s Reference Centre Bib. number 9874). The paper sets out the broad policy aims on both devolved and reserved matters for UK ports. In addition, trust ports are implementing the guidance set out in Modernising Trust Ports: A Guide to Good Governance (January 2000, Parliament’s Reference Centre Bib. number 18579). This provides a benchmark for best practice in the management, accountability and operation of trust ports, including the appointment of board members.

Public Appointments

Angus MacKay (Edinburgh South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many independent assessors oversee the public appointments system and how much they are paid.

Mr Andy Kerr: I am pleased to announce that following an open competition towards the end of last year 12 new Independent Assessors have been appointed for a period of three years commencing 1 January 2002. This increases the total number of current assessors from 14 to 26 (10 men, 16 women, three people from an ethnic minority background and 1 disabled person) and brings the total number of assessors back up to the June 2001 level (there were 25 assessors in post in June).

  With effect from 1 January, all assessors will now be paid a daily fee of £150 or £250 subject to the level of their involvement in the appointments process. This policy change brings the Executive in line with the majority of Whitehall Departments. The overall financial implications are minimal, in the region of £13,000 per annum.

  Brief details of the new Independents are as follows:

  


Mr John Anderson 
  

Professional Officer, Professional Association of Teachers 
  



Anja Ansel 
  

Retired. Former Director and Secretary, Scottish YMCA Housing 
  Association 
  



Ijaz Ashraf 
  

Chair of Central Scotland Racial Equality Council, Case 
  worker, Wester Hailes Representative Council Ltd 
  



Dr Dorothy Bell 
  

Consultant Clinical Psychologist & Head of Clinical 
  Psychology for Adults with Learning Disabilities – 
  Forth Valley Primary Care NHS Trust 
  



Frances Buckler 
  

Business Improvement Director, Rolls Royce, Glasgow 
  



Peter Burdon 
  

Independent Director/Consultant. Director, Scottish University 
  for Industry 
  



Karen Carlton 
  

Partner, Carlton Edgar (organisation development consultancy) 
  



Kathleen Davies 
  

Freelance writer/book editor, general and educational publishing 
  



Robin Jordan 
  

Senior Partner, Robin Jordan Associates (Management and 
  Human Resources Consultants) 
  



Paul Matheson 
  

Senior Training Officer, Strathclyde Police 
  



Daniel Tierney 
  

Lecturer, Jordanhill College, Edinburgh 
  



Dr Alex Wright 
  

University Lecturer, Dept of Politics, University of Dundee

Renewable Energy

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20256 by Ross Finnie on 9 January 2002, whether the study into the costs and feasibility of a heavy duty cable network to take electricity from wind farms and wave energy devices from the Highlands and Islands to English markets will be produced before the end of this financial year.

Ross Finnie: This study was commissioned by the Department of Trade and Industry, and a draft report outlining the consultants’ findings has now been received by that department. A further announcement is expected from DTI during the next few weeks.

Rural Development

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many definitions of "rural" it uses; what plans it has to review these definitions; who would conduct any such review and what role Her Majesty’s Government would have.

Ross Finnie: A review of rural definitions in use across the Executive revealed that around 20 different definitions of rural were in use. To ensure a more consistent approach to defining rural Scotland within the Executive, a core definition was adopted. It defines rural Scotland as being areas outside settlements of more than 3,000 residents. A framework approach ensures that, where appropriate, variations on the core definition, or indeed, alternative definitions can be adopted, where it can be demonstrated that those variations will allow individual policies or programmes to be targeted more effectively. An article giving details about this review was published in the Scottish Economic Report , published in June 2001. The Executive has no immediate plans to carry out a further review of rural definitions.

Rural Development

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in response to the comments as reported on the BBC News Website by George Lyon MSP on 5 January 2002 in connection with the negotiations between the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs and the European Union on levels of agricultural support and the effect on Scotland of any reduction in this support.

Ross Finnie: It is not our practice to comment on individual opinions expressed by MSPs. Ministers and officials from all four UK Agriculture Departments are already engaged in discussions which will shape the UK negotiating position for the forthcoming mid-term review of the Common Agricultural Policy. The Scottish Executive is committed in the review process to ensure that Scotland’s farmers and crofters continue to receive appropriate support.

Schools

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any directions it has given to any local authority to suspend its school capital repairs programme pending the outcome of its bid made under the Public Private Partnership/Private Finance Initiative and when any such directions were made.

Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive has issued no such directions.

Sea Routes

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take to initiate sea routes to Scandinavia and the Baltic.

Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive recognises the benefits that may result from additional transport links with Europe. We are not aware of any current proposals to introduce commercial ferry services to Scandinavia or the Baltic, but we would encourage ferry operators to consider the opportunities that such markets might provide. While the Executive has no powers to offer revenue support for such services, any necessary shore infrastructure associated with them, which is related to the carriage of freight, might be eligible for support under the Freight Facilities Grant scheme.

Single European Currency

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring is taking place of the use by businesses and, in particular, the tourism industry of the euro and of the availability of trading in euro to foreign visitors.

Ms Wendy Alexander: Although the euro is not legal tender in the UK, some retailers have indicated that they are prepared to accept it as a method of payment. This reflects the commercial choices of businesses. VisitScotland are distributing material, on request, regarding the euro.

  In conjunction with the Treasury, Scotland Europa have implemented a detailed programme to provide advice and raise awareness of the need by all businesses – including in the tourist industry - to make appropriate preparations for the introduction of the currency. This includes the Trading in Euro symbol which indicates that an organisation is willing and able to deal with the euro currency.

  The Executive has undertaken two surveys of businesses in Scotland, assessing usage and expected usage of the euro. The first survey took place in the summer of 2000 and was repeated in 2001. The surveys did not include specific results from the tourism sector.

Skye Bridge

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive which body would be liable for any remaining debt on the Skye Bridge should the tolls there be declared illegal.

Lewis Macdonald: The statutory basis of the Skye Bridge tolling regime has been examined and upheld by the Scottish courts on a number of occasions and we see no reason to believe that the position will change. However, as owners of the bridge, the Scottish ministers would be liable for any outstanding debt on the project.

Student Finance

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether student loans are a disincentive to potential students from less affluent backgrounds from entering further and higher education.

Ms Wendy Alexander: Student loans apply only in higher education. Support for further education is provided in the form of bursary.

  As part of the new student support arrangements introduced from this academic year, young students entering full-time higher education in Scotland from less affluent backgrounds receive up to £2,000 of their annual support entitlement in the form of a non-repayable Young Students Bursary. New entrant mature students may also be able to receive non-repayable support of up to £2,000 a year from the Mature Students Bursary Fund, in addition to their loan support, at the discretion of their institutions.

Student Finance

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what amount has been automatically deducted from students’ travel expenses awarded by the Students Awards Agency for Scotland in each of the last three years and how this amount is calculated.

Ms Wendy Alexander: In the last three years, the amount which the Awards Agency deducts from travel claims has been as follows:

  


Session 
  

Continuing Scheme (i.e students who entered 
  HE before 1998-99) 
  

New Scheme (i.e. students who entered HE 
  for the first time in 1998-99 or later) 
  



1998-99 
  

£70 
  

£70 
  



1999-2000 
  

£80 
  

£155 
  



2000-01 
  

£80 
  

£155 
  



  Prior to 1999-2000, the travel element for all students was calculated as a percentage of the whole student support package available. In session 1999-2000, the maximum living cost support for new students entering higher education was increased. The increase included a revision of the amount within the student loan that is deemed to be for travel expenses and which is therefore deducted from the total amounts claimed by students. This resulted in the figures quoted above.

Teacher Training

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funds have been made available for the training of teachers in educational courses designed to tackle drug, alcohol and tobacco misuse.

Nicol Stephen: Guidelines for initial teacher education courses in Scotland require that courses prepare teachers entering the profession to be responsive to the needs of all pupils in respect of health and general well being. The guidelines are not prescriptive and each training institution develops their own programme.

  It is the responsibility of local authorities, as employers, to ensure a wide range of continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities is available for qualified teachers. This should include a range of activities that ensures teachers are well prepared to deal with such issues as drug, alcohol and tobacco misuse.

  Separately, training has been made available for primary teachers by Scotland Against Drugs, which is supported by the Scottish Executive. This will be extended to secondary school teachers in the next year with an additional financial contribution from the Executive. The final amount has yet to be agreed.

Tourism

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) regarding charter flight supplements charged on holiday flights from Scotland and what action it proposes to take in light of the decision given by the OFT in its report on the matter, Scottish Flight Supplements .

Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive has made no representations to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) regarding supplements on charter flights from Scotland. The Executive has no plans to take action specifically in light of the OFT’s recent findings.

Veterinary Medicines

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, or plans to make, to Her Majesty’s Government or the Office of Fair Trading regarding the supply of prescription-only veterinary medicines, given the Competition Commission’s current investigation into the issue.

Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive has made no representations to the UK Government or the Office of Fair Trading regarding the supply of prescription-only medicines. The control of medicines is a matter reserved to the Westminster Parliament and any representations will be taken into account by them whilst developing the UK position.

Wildlife

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20732 by Allan Wilson on 20 December 2001, whether it will give details of the visit made by officials to the company applying for a licence to kill or remove eider ducks and whether an official from Scottish Natural Heritage was involved in the visit.

Allan Wilson: A site visit was carried out on 2 November 2001 and was attended by representatives of Fisheries Research Services Marine Laboratory and Scottish Natural Heritage, both of whom provided advice.

Wildlife

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive under what statutory instrument licences are granted which allow applicants to shoot to scare eider ducks.

Allan Wilson: Licences may be granted under the terms of section 16.-(1)(k) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.